FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARMason City Illini Central head coach John Giesler yells as they play Nokomis in IHSA Class 1A semifinal action Friday afternoon.

]]>http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2013/03/08/illini-central-defeats-nokomis-to-head-into-the-class-1a-state-title-game/feed/0POMOct18POMOct19POMOct20POMOct21POMOct22POMOct23POMOct24Journal Star Photos of the Month – October 2011POMOct01POMOct02POMOct03POMOct04POMOct05POMOct06POMOct07POMOct08POMOct09POMOct10POMOct11Illini Central shoot-around for state finals at March Madness in Peoriahttp://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2013/03/07/illini-central-shoot-around-for-state-finals-at-march-madness-in-peoria/
http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2013/03/07/illini-central-shoot-around-for-state-finals-at-march-madness-in-peoria/#commentsThu, 07 Mar 2013 21:44:26 +0000http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/?p=5065

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARIHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday. Mason City assistant coach Tony Wherley, left, laughs with senior players Connor Martin and Duncan McClure as they watch teammates do TV interviews.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARIllini Central’s Duncan McClure slams the ball as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARIllini Central seniors Grant Bale, no. 3, Jared Entwistle, no. 14 and other players laugh as they line up for team pictures as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARMason City head coach John Giesler runs practice as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARSouth Holland (Seton Academy) players prepare as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARWinnebago’s Ryan Traum tests the rims as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARMason City head coach John Giesler runs practice as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARIllini Central senior Jared Entwistle shoots as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STARIllini Central senior Grant Bale, no. 3, shoots as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.

]]>http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2013/03/07/illini-central-shoot-around-for-state-finals-at-march-madness-in-peoria/feed/0Veterans Day honored in PeoriaVeterans Day honored in PeoriaVeterans Day honored in PeoriaVeterans Day honored in Peoria3-7-13-shootaround-005FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STAR
South Holland (Seton Academy) players prepare as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.Veterans Day honored in PeoriaVeterans Day honored in Peoria3-7-13-shootaround-008FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STAR
Illini Central senior Jared Entwistle shoots as IHSA March Madness kicks into gear as Mason City and other teams shoot around at Carver Arena Thursday as they prepare for Class 1A and 2A semifinals that start Friday.Evicted: Occupy Wall Street (updated)Illini Central Wins Class 1A Supersectional, 50-39 over Cissna Parkhttp://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2013/03/07/illini-central-wins-class-1a-supersectional-50-39-over-cissna-park/
http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2013/03/07/illini-central-wins-class-1a-supersectional-50-39-over-cissna-park/#commentsThu, 07 Mar 2013 07:29:23 +0000http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/?p=5043Illini Central heads to Carver Arena and the Boys Class 1A State Finals after beating Cissna Park in Wenesday’s Normal Supersectional.

RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Ben Jennings of Cissna Park, right, tries to get a hand on the ball as Connor Martin of Illini Central pulls down a rebound during Wednesday’s Class 1A Normal Supersectional at Redbird Arena.

]]>http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2013/03/07/illini-central-wins-class-1a-supersectional-50-39-over-cissna-park/feed/0vet-eye005EVE EDELHEIT/JOURNAL STAR
Bob Kreie of Washburn takes a moment to reflect during the 70th Pearl Harbor Commemoration ceremony at Springdale Cemetery on Friday. Kreie served in the Marine Corps from 1980-1984.vet-eye003DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
American Legion Post 2 honor guard members fire during a 21-gun salute during a Veterans Day ceremony in downtown Peoria.vet-eye009DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
Vietnam veteran Jim Mohnen of West Peoria, one of five grand marshals in the Veterans Day parade in downtown Peoria Friday, salutes after placing a wreath at the base of the World War I and World War II memorial at the Peoria County Courthouse. Grand marshals representing conflicts from World War II to the War on Terror, along with Gold Star mothers, laid wreaths in the ceremony.Auto Draftvet-eye003DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
American Legion Post 2 honor guard members fire during a 21-gun salute during a Veterans Day ceremony in downtown Peoria.vet-eye004DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
Boy Scouts salute during the national anthem Friday during Veterans Day ceremonies in downtown Peoria Friday.Cissna Park vs. Illini CentralRON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Justin Luft of Illini Central tries to grab a loose ball during Wednesday's Class 1A Normal Supersectional at Redbird Arena.vet-eye001FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STAR
Jared Poppe of Kappa, a Marine who lost his legs in Afghanistan, gets a hero's welcome as he returns home at Peoria International Airport. His mother, Sandy Cuddihy, far right, wipes away a tear as friend Jenny Trimpe, center, hugs Jared, and Jen Morrissy, left, watches. Jared was hospitalized in Washington D.C., then went to San Diego to get fitted for and learn to use his prosthetic limbs.vet-eye002ADAM GERIK/JOURNAL STAR
Members of the 182nd Airlift Wing buckle into a C-130 cargo plane as they prepare for deployment to Afghanistan.vet-eye006FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STAR
Sandy Cuddihy emotionally embraces friend Jan Atkinson as her son, Jared Poppe of Kappa, a Marine who lost his legs in Afghanistan, gets a hero's welcome at Peoria International Airport.vet-eye005EVE EDELHEIT/JOURNAL STAR
Bob Kreie of Washburn takes a moment to reflect during the 70th Pearl Harbor Commemoration ceremony at Springdale Cemetery on Friday. Kreie served in the Marine Corps from 1980-1984.vet-eye004DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
Boy Scouts salute during the national anthem Friday during Veterans Day ceremonies in downtown Peoria Friday.vet-eye003DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
American Legion Post 2 honor guard members fire during a 21-gun salute during a Veterans Day ceremony in downtown Peoria.vet-eye006FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STAR
Sandy Cuddihy emotionally embraces friend Jan Atkinson as her son, Jared Poppe of Kappa, a Marine who lost his legs in Afghanistan, gets a hero's welcome at Peoria International Airport.vet-eye007DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
Hunter Lang, 8, of Dunlap, waves to the occupants in a passing military vehicle during Friday's Veterans Day parade in downtown Peoria. Hunter and his brother, Zachary, 11, used the sunroof of their mother's car as their vantage point with a homemade sign noting "Throw candy here."vet-eye008ADAM GERIK/JOURNAL STAR
Captain Troy Gryga kisses his girlfriend Jessica Richa goodbye as he leaves with other members of the 182nd Airlift Wing deployed to Afghanistan early Friday morning.vet-eye009DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR
Vietnam veteran Jim Mohnen of West Peoria, one of five grand marshals in the Veterans Day parade in downtown Peoria Friday, salutes after placing a wreath at the base of the World War I and World War II memorial at the Peoria County Courthouse. Grand marshals representing conflicts from World War II to the War on Terror, along with Gold Star mothers, laid wreaths in the ceremony.Mason City-Illini Central battles Carrolltonhttp://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2012/03/09/mason-city-illini-central-battles-carrollton/
http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2012/03/09/mason-city-illini-central-battles-carrollton/#commentsSat, 10 Mar 2012 03:58:29 +0000http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/?p=3131

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STAR Mason City's Jared Entwistle reacts as a late foul puts the game out of reach as Mason City (Illini Central) falls to Carrollton 45-44 in a IHSA Class 1A semi-final game at the Peoria Civic Center Friday afternoon.

FRED ZWICKY/JOURNAL STAR Carrollton celebrates as they defeat Mason City 45-44 in a IHSA Class 1A semi-final game at the Peoria Civic Center Friday afternoon.

]]>http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2012/03/09/mason-city-illini-central-battles-carrollton/feed/0Barack Obama, Tom DonilonIn this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama makes a point during one in a series of meetings in the Situation Room of the White House discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, Sunday, May 1, 2011. National Security Adviser Tom Donilon is pictured at right. (AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)Barack ObamaIn this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama talks with members of the national security team at the conclusion of one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)History LessonHunting for bin Laden: ‘Intense’ is an understatementHunting for bin Laden: ‘Intense’ is an understatementA day of joy for some, somber remembrance for othersDanielle and Carie Lemack, Christy Coombs, Irene RossLeonard CastrianoBin Laden US ReactionIllini Central heads to the Class 1A state tournamenthttp://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2012/03/08/illini-central-heads-to-the-class-1a-state-tournament/
http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2012/03/08/illini-central-heads-to-the-class-1a-state-tournament/#commentsFri, 09 Mar 2012 05:28:47 +0000http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/?p=3117

DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central High School mascot Kyle Sims adjusts his head before heading into the Mason City school's gymnasium Thursday for a sendoff for the basketball team heading to the state tournament in Peoria.

DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central High School varsity basketball guard Jared Entwistle leads classmates and fans in a roller coaster cheer during an assembly at the Mason City school Thursday before the basketball team left for the state tournament in Peoria. The Cougars take on Carrollton in the opening Class 1A game at noon Friday.

DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central High School head basketball coach John Giesler joins the cheerleaders for cheer during an assembly in Mason City Thursday for the basketball team before it headed to the IHSA Class 1A state tournament in Peoria.

DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central High School varsity basketball player Ean Albers is hoisted off of his feet by the Cougar mascot Monday during a sendoff Thursday for the basketball team heading to the state tournament in Peoria. Albers was also noted at the assembly for his achievements on the Scholastic Bowl team.

DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central High School basketball fans line the street during a sendoff for the Mason City school's team heading to the IHSA state tournament in Peoria. The team plays their first game in the Class 1A round noon Friday against Carrollton

DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Members of the Illini Central High School basketball team wave to classmates as they leave the Mason City school Thursday bound for the IHSA state tournament in Peoria.

RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central head coach John Giesler watches his team practice during Thursday's shootarounds at Carver Arena.

RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central guard Jared Entwistle is one of the main ingredients in the Panther's recipe for success this year.

RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central head coach John Giesler watches his team practice during Thursday's shootarounds at Carver Arena.

]]>http://blogs.pjstar.com/eye/2012/03/08/illini-central-heads-to-the-class-1a-state-tournament/feed/0Spring at Forest ParkSpring renewsillinicentral03DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central High School head basketball coach John Giesler joins the cheerleaders for cheer during an assembly in Mason City Thursday for the basketball team before it headed to the IHSA Class 1A state tournament in Peoria.SpringBloom-095DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Often hidden by its own leaves, the wild ginger's flower is found at ground level. According to the U. S. Forest Service, the color of the flower evolved to the color of decomposing animal flesh to attract flies emerging from the soil in spring.Spring renewsSpring renewsSpring renewsillinicentral08RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Illini Central guard Jared Entwistle is one of the main ingredients in the Panther's recipe for success this year.History Lesson